Poop City

P-O-R: Good Government Edition

NO CLASS: Democrats in the House and Senate have proposed federal legislation to prevent "Class B" animal dealers and unlicensed dealers from selling dogs and cats to research labs. "This bill," writes the ASPCA, "would eliminate the incentive for 'bunchers' - people who collect animals from random sources and sell them to Class B Dealers - to obtain dogs and cats through illegal [i.e. theft] or unethical [i.e. 'Free to Good Home' ads] means, as there would be no profit in doing so." Read the ASPCA endorsement for more details about S. 714/H.R. 1280, the Pet Safety and Protection Act. And, most important, be sure to contact your Senators and Representative (click here if you aren't sure how or who).

PROPERTY RIGHTS: New Jersey lawmakers are looking to crack down on pet food makers who release contaminated food into the marketplace. One bill, proposed by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, would require food makers to certify that their products are safe, and would hold them liable for damages if proved otherwise. Another legislator wants tighter controls on the retail level in order to ensure that recalled food doesn't remain available for sale. The New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance, while applauding those efforts, believes the state should take a more holistic approach by elevating pets above "property" status.

IMBY: Support New York's own animal-defending government watchdogs by attending the League of Humane Voters of New York City spring membership meeting, tomorrow (Wednesday) at the LGBT Center (208 W. 13th St., Rm. 101, 6:30 p.m.). Come for the animals, stay for the animal-free pizza.

Poop-O-Rama: Non-recall edition

CRACK & CLAM JUICE: Slope Street Cats has relocated the last of the feral colony endangered by the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. The effort gained attention via coverage in the Brooklyn Paper and even the Times, but in the end it was a Meow Mix-clam juice combo what done the trick. Says SSC's Laura Brahm: "When you're working on a trapping project, sometimes nabbing that last cat is better than crack!"

RESCUE (ES)ME: In other SSC news, Esme (pictured) needs a home.

SOMEONE SAY PIZZA?: The League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV) will hold its spring membership meeting on Wednesday, April 11 at the LGBT Center (208 W. 13th St., Rm. 101, 6:30 p.m.). Featured speakers are to include City Council Member Rosie Mendez, state Assembly candidate Micah Kellner, and George Bliss, who brought the besieged pedicab industry to the city. Also starring: vegan pizza.

WABBIT SEASON: Easter is almost upon us, which means scores of rabbits will soon be sprung on unprepared kids and significant others, only to be surrendered to shelters or, worse, tossed outside to fend for themselves once the novelty wears off. If you find yourself the unwitting (or witting, even) guardian of a bunny this year, House Rabbit Society is a great resource for caretaking tips. To help HRS spread the word about the toll Easter takes on rabbits who are purchased on a whim and cast aside like forgotten toys, join the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign.

Photo: Slope Street Cats

Poop-O-Rama: V.D./Westminster Afterglow Edition

- As expected, no ink was spared in promoting the Westminster spectacle. As of this writing, Bill Cosby's terrier Harry led for Top Word Count, while poor Vivi maintained a close second. Rather than linking to every single repetitious article, this seemed more useful - for those who are into that sort of thing.

- Back in the real world, AMNY follows up on a story from last week with news that Gonzalo Montesdeoca of East Haven, CT, was charged with 37 counts of animal cruelty after authorities rescued as many pit bulls from the alleged abuser's property. The dogs were left outside in the cold, many stacked in cages. Montesdeoca is free on $100,000 bond and is due in court February 21.

- Leaving no stone unturned, Eli Lilly has gained FDA approval for Reconcile, a new canine anti-depressant. We can just see the commercials now.

- Also on the medical front, vets are set to gather in Las Vegas this week for the 79th Annual Western Veterinary Conference. Among the topics to be discussed: using forensics to detect and report animal abuse. With a possible TV show in the offing, the obligatory "CSI" reference isn't that far fetched.

In other news, V.D. style:
- "I Love NYC Pets" month gets love from Gothamist. [Gothamist]
- Pedicabs get no love from the city (and why you should care). [Gothamist]
- CLister wants love from teacher. [TGL]
- The editor gets name-check love from SuperVegan, but nada from Amy Sedaris. [SuperVegan]

Photo: Isadore ("Izzy") and Bingo.

Poop-O-Rama: Friday Late Edition

Our recent Internet interruption has led to a backlog of news. And today we have no water. Best not to dwell on what that could cause a backlog of. Anyhoo ...

- Those of us with two left feet and a soft spot for companion animals can hoof it to Dance Times Square Studio on W. 44th Street tonight (or any Friday evening). Dance instructor Liz Peterson has formed a non-profit called Dancing for Animals, which provides low-fee dance lessons to benefit area animal welfare causes. Said one client, paraphrased in the Daily News: "[I]t's more fun than heading to the gym, is therapeutic as a stress-buster, and provides a unique way to meet people with similar interests." [BARC Blog]

- The League of Humane Voters has endorsed "long-time Flatbush resident and community activist" Zenobia McNally for the District 40 City Council seat. A February 20 special election will be held to fill the spot vacated by Yvette Clarke, who was elected to Congress. McNally says she supports Intro 13, which would ensure that no-pet lease clauses, once waived, can not be reinstated during a tenant's residency. She also favors the foie gras ban opposed by Governor Spitzer, as well as humane education and awareness programs.

- On Brooklyn Record, a post (and doctored photo) from Prospect Park Advocate has sparked a lively back-and-forth on the never ending off-leash debate, after the PPA site advised using pepper spray to ward off unleashed dogs in city parks. NYC offleash says the "so-called 'Prospect Park Advocate'" is on a "personal jihad" to alter the city's off-leash policy, while "Anonymous" writes: "A bunch of 11-13 year old kids threw rocks at me and my dog while walking in Fort Greene Park. (My dog was on a leash). Should we not allow unsupervised kids in the park? Can I pepper-spray kids? Should kids be on leashes?" Hmmm...

And:
- Weekend "I Love NYC Pets" events scheduled. [NYCityPets]
- Queens pet shop owner sentenced in stabbing. [AMNY]
- "40 to 50" pit bulls seized from CT hellhole. [AMNY]
- Airport safety suggestions from Team Vivi. [Animal House]
- Rescue stories wanted for new book. [ASPCA]
- Troy: A rescue story. [Slope Street Cats]
- Fun with fortune cookies. [nys]

Photo: Bambi, c/o lisacat

Poop-O-Rama

How did Vivi breeder Bo Bengsten mark the one year anniversary of the prize Whippet's escape from baggage handlers at JFK? By shipping another dog airline freight, claro! At least he kept his fingers crossed this time. [Animal House]

Shocker: Veterinarians would rather earn more money by caring for beloved companion animals than bust their humps for tight-pocket farmers whose sole concern is whether their "livestock" is worth more alive than dead. (Note, per usual, how farmers are portrayed as the victims, starting with the headline, while the suffering and killing of animals is employed for comic relief.) [NYT]

Here in Poop City we usually look askance at animal show business, but the ASPCA's "Charm School and Talent Show" is a worthy exception. All competing doggies are rescues and all are up for adoption. [NY1]

P.S.: February is "I Love NYC Pets" month.

Speaking of adoptions, T-Bone is a "huggable mush." [NYCityPets]

No exposition necessary. [Men and Cats]

Photo: Kismet and Sophie, c/o The Blog of a Big Man Cat